District of Sechelt staff are recommending a 5.62 per cent property tax increase to cover 2025 general operating fund increases, which still need to be approved.
At a committee of the whole meeting Wednesday, Feb. 26, staff presented a four-page report detailing the proposed budget, after Coast Reporter’s press deadline.
The purpose of the report was to provide the committee of the whole with a summary of the district’s general operating fund, was an opportunity to provide additional direction on budget items, and offer proposed recommendation on the 2025 tax rate. The meeting was also an opportunity for additional requests concerning the 2025 budget be provided to staff.
At a previous budget meeting, the committee of the whole made various requests for items to be added and removed from the 2025 budget. The table below shows the requests and their result on the property tax increase.
2025 operational deficit: $1,827,055
Estimated 2024 to 22025 surplus
- Interest on investments: $600,000
- Operational savings: $480,000
- Travel and training: $100,000
Total estimated surplus: $1,180,000
2025 provisional deficit: $647,055 (4.7%)
Additional operating requests
- 3% for capital: $415,763
- SQL server upgrade: $10,000
- Community safety: $137,000 (reserve/taxation)
- Adobe upgrade: $15,000
- GIS enhancements: $15,000 (reserve)
- Consultant technical support: $100,000 (taxation/savings)
- Airport storage: $3,500
Total additional requests: $696,263 (5.05%)
Other funding for additional operating requests
- Reserve funding: $115,000 (-0.83%)
- 2025 budget savings $41,000 (-0.30%)
2025 final provisional deficit: $1,187,318 (8.62%)
Noted in the report, “staff would like the committee of the whole to recommend that council endorse a tax rate of 5.62% and incorporate the approved budget requests into the Five-Year Financial Plan. The 2025-2029 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw would then be prepared for consideration of adoption prior to the May 15 deadline.”
Sustainability plan implications
The goal(s) within the adopted Integrated Community Sustainability Plan that relate to this report include, social sustainability and community well being, economic and environmental sustainability, arts and culture, sustainable community growth and development, and leadership in sustainability.
Strategic plan implications
The goal(s) within the adopted strategic plan that relate to this report include community safety and well being, and ensuring financial balance.
Financial implications
Property tax sample on an average residence at an assessed value of $994,039 for both 2024 and 2025:
- General municipal: $2,356 in 2025 compared to $2,169 in 2024 for a difference of $187 (8.62%).
- Sewer user fee: $705 for 2025 compared to $679 for 2024 for a difference of $26 (3.95%).
- Sewer parcel tax: $274, the same as 2024.
- Solid waste: $ 303, the same as 2024.
The total for 2025 is $3,638, compared to $3,425 for 2024, for a difference of $213.00 (6.22%).
The property tax effect on an average business assessed at $1,509,081 for both 2024 and 2025:
- General municipal: $8,797 for 2025 compared to $8,099 for 2024, for a difference of $698 (8.62%)
- Sewer user fee: $706 for 2025 compared to $679 for 2024, for a difference of $27.0 (3.98%)
- Sewer parcel tax: $274, the same as 2024.
The total for 2025 is $9,777, compared to $9,052 for 2024, for a difference of $725 (8.01%).
